CAIRO: French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner arrived in Egypt yesterday, to meet his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Saudi Arabian FM Prince Saud Al-Faisal, and the Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa to discuss the details of his visit to Lebanon on Saturday. Kouchner s trip to Cairo came after his visit to Beirut on Saturday in an attempt to bridge the gap between rival factions in the Lebanese government and bring an end to eight months of political paralysis, which began with the resignation of six pro-Syrian ministers, five of them Shia, last November, over opposition demands for veto power in government. After meeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and a member of the pro-Syrian opposition, Kouchner told the press that, The Lebanon dialogue can continue, and I think today has seen some progress, as quoted by Agence France Presse, adding that the recent developments are still far from a settlement of the political deadlock. If the Lebanese do not resume this essential dialogue, unfortunately there will be more war, he said. There are clans, struggles, sorts of poker games over power ... but this is a deadly game in Lebanon, he continued. Before meeting Berri, Kouchner met civil representatives and then lunched with Western-backed Prime Minister Fouad Seniora. He then held talks separately with rival Christian leaders Michel Aoun, a key member of the opposition and declared presidential candidate, and Samir Geagea, a supporter of the government. Kouchner also met with former minister from Hezbollah Mohammed Fneish and foreign relations chief Nawaf Mussawi. The continuing rivalry between the ruling majority and its opponents is now focused on the parliament session to be held on Sept. 25 that will choose a new president to replace pro-Syrian incumbent Emile Lahoud. Many fear that Lebanon could plunge into civil war if no successor is elected before Lahoud s term ends on Nov. 24.
